Phillies' Rob Thomson 'proud' of Nick Castellanos: 'He owned up to what he did'

Castellanos revealed he brought a beer into the dugout during a June road game against the Miami Marlins, leading to a one-game benching as punishment.

Feb. 14, 2026 at 12:55am

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One day after the Philadelphia Phillies released outfielder Nick Castellanos, manager Rob Thomson expressed pride in Castellanos for owning up to his actions in a letter posted on Instagram. Castellanos revealed he brought a beer into the dugout during a June game against the Miami Marlins, which led to a one-game benching as punishment. Thomson said he thought the team's handling of the situation was appropriate and that he's proud of Castellanos for taking responsibility.

Why it matters

Castellanos' actions and the Phillies' response highlight the challenges teams can face in managing player behavior and discipline, especially with high-profile players. The situation also provides insight into the communication dynamics between players, managers, and team leadership.

The details

Castellanos was released by the Phillies after four seasons with the team. In his letter, he thanked several members of the organization but did not mention manager Rob Thomson, with whom he had been openly critical of regarding communication about his changing role. Thomson said he thought the team's handling of the "Miami Incident" was appropriate and that he's proud of Castellanos for taking responsibility in his letter.

  • In June 2025, Castellanos brought a beer into the Phillies' dugout during a road game against the Miami Marlins.
  • Castellanos was benched for one game as punishment for the incident.

The players

Nick Castellanos

A former outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who was released by the team after four seasons.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies who expressed pride in Castellanos for owning up to his actions in a letter.

Kyle Schwarber

A Phillies outfielder who said he saw the letter Castellanos posted on Instagram addressing the "Miami Incident."

John Middleton

The principal owner of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dave Dombrowski

The president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, I saw it. It is what it is, right? I think the biggest thing is that we all wish him the best. We've had a lot of really good memories here over the last four years, and he's had some really big moments with us, and we wish him the best moving forward.”

— Kyle Schwarber

“I'm proud of him. Because he owned up to what he did. And, hey, we all make mistakes. Mine are well-documented. But Nick helped us out in a lot of ways here. He's had some big hits and big plays and helped us win a lot of ball games. So I do, I wish him all the best.”

— Rob Thomson, Manager

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.